Brian Day – Pasadena Star News
More than 100 people celebrated the third day of Hanukkah in front of Pasadena City Hall on Sunday with traditional songs, food and crafts, as well as an 8-foot-tall menorah made of jelly beans.
The candy candleholder – filled with 41 flavors of beans – stood next to a 14-foot-tall metal menorah, which weighed about 1,000 pounds and was hosted by the Chabad of Pasadena.
“It’s to enhance the sweetness of the holiday in a world with too much bitterness,” said Chabad of Pasadena Rabbi Chaim Hanoka.
Sunday was the third day in the eight-day Jewish “Festival of Lights.”
Children first helped fill the smaller menorah, made of clear plastic tubing, with about 35,000 jelly beans, before the rabbi uncorked the bottom and let excited children gather them.
Another rabbi at the Chabad of Pasadena, Rabbi Yisroel Pinson, played traditional Hanukkah music on a keyboard.
Children made their own menorahs and painted tops, called dreidels, as celebrants enjoyed traditional potato pancakes, called latkes.
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century B.C.
The story of Hanukkah represents the few overpowering the many, Honoka said, as he reminded everyone that the gathering was a way of joining Jews around the world.
Then, Honoka lit the lanterns atop the giant candelabrum.
“The menorah acts as a beacon of light to illuminate our surroundings,” the rabbi told the crowd as he lit the lanterns atop the giant candelabrum. “We need to add light to the spiritual darkness that exists out here.Let these lights light up the world.”
Zachary Becker, 9, of Glendora attended the celebration with his mother, Sheryl.
“I thought it was pretty cool,” Zachary said of the event. “My favorite part was when they unloaded the (jelly bean) menorah.”
Rabbi Hanoka, your are the most devoted Chosid and Shaliach I ever met. Plus,your kids are adorable ka’h. They look just like their mature aunt!!Happy Hanoka!!
why does it need to be jelly beans i hate them
For the Jelly beans…… leave us some….
Nice pics…looks great!!!! Spraznikom!
the hanokas are the coolest people in the world. the best rabbi, rebbetzen and family.
cute and very creative!!!!!! Happy Chanoka!!!!!!
happy chanoka to u all!!! looks like a gr8 success!!
In response to your comment… If you will notice, there is a real and ב -כבודיקע Menorah right in front of the one filled with jelly beans, which is the one Rabbi Hanoka is about to light. I am not on shlichus, but I imagine that the idea of having a Jelly Bean Menorah, draws more people in, in order to be mefarsim the the ness Chanukah. LIke in chinuch, we are encouraged to do what it takes to be mechanech our children, using all sorts of means, I believe that this would go under the very same geder. Although… Read more »
chaim i allways know that you are the sweetis rabbi arownd .(mhaspia)
do not under stand the point of having it in pipe’s
thatioo
happy chanoka
bh a great kidush luba.
loooooks yum!
compare the 2?!?
but i dont think its the way that we should be michabed the mitzvah. whats the pshat with making a menorah out of ice, crocs, jelly beans or any other riduculous thing!!!! maybe the next time it will be out of people! imo, its a sick bizayon of the mitzvah!